Diana Burrell Shipton spends many hours in her garden in Hubbard where she organically grows herbs and other ingredients for her all-natural soaps, sachets and oils.
Although she primarily ran her business out of her home and over the Internet, Shipton never expected to become the owner of a business that not only included her own items but those of several collectors and artisans throughout the community.
But when the gift shop formerly known as Petzie's became available, Diana quickly took over the business to keep the current vendors from losing a place to sell their wares.
Now the new Diana's Gift Shop, opened just a few weeks ago at 6177 Youngstown Hubbard Road, is being transformed into a new type of shop where anyone looking for interesting items can browse around to find just the perfect vintage gift for someone special.
Longtime jewelry-collector and Diana's mother, Goldie Burrell specializes in mostly vintage but some new pieces of jewelry in her kiosk on one side of the shop that once formerly housed several other businesses including the well-known Rhodes Diary in Hubbard.
''I do a lot of research when I find a piece,'' Goldie said. ''That's part of the fun.''
Some jewelry in Goldie's collection date back to the late 1800s. She has been collecting the pieces since the early 1960s, when as a young homemaker, she started selling the Sarah Coventry line.
''I still have a few pieces here,'' she said.
The store now offers several new vendors including space-owner Linda Phillips who offers new and used glassware, vintage and antique items and even signs from the now closed U.S. Can Company. Phillips also sells Tupperware in her corner of the store.
Even Shipton's daughters get into the act. They sell videos and books in the back corner of the store, affectionately called ''the cave.'' Her youngest daughter, Elaina, is trying her hand at jewelry making and has a few items of her own design for sale as well.
Portrayed as several shops within one store, there also is a ceramics shop, a flower arrangement shop and a candle shop. Even with all the store holds, there are still spots available to vendors or artisans who wish to display and sell their creations.
Shipton, a 1980 graduate of Hubbard High School, received her associates degree in human development from Penn State University. Still living in Hubbard in a generational house built in 1825, she started making natural botanical items for her personal use. While operating a small antique shop out of her home, people began noticing the botanicals.
''Friends would ask if I could make them this or than and tell their friends and it just took off from there,'' Shipton said.
After a New York Times article on natural products was published last spring, Shipton saw an increase in orders for her natural, organic balms, soaps and herbal pillows. Before she had time to catch her breath from all the new orders the article created, the opportunity to take over ownership of the gift shop in Hubbard came along as well.
''I want to treat my customers the way I would want to be treated,'' Shipton said.
Shop hours are noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday and Sunday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The shop is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.